Vikings-Packers produce big ratings

The Vikings' 28-24 loss to the Packers on Sunday night earned a 16.0 overnight rating and 25 share on NBC, making it the best overnight rating for an October NFL prime-time game in 12 years.

The October game that tops it also involved the Vikings and Packers and helped establish Randy Moss as an elite wide receiver. Moss caught five passes for 190 yards with two touchdowns in the Vikings' 37-24 victory on "Monday Night Football" on Oct. 5, 1998. That game earned a 17.5 rating and 26 share on ABC.

The Milwaukee market, which represents Wisconsin, was top-rated metered market finishing with a 53.1 rating and 68 share. The Twin Cities was No. 2, getting a 51.5 rating and 68 share for local NBC affiliate KARE (Ch. 11). The dip after that was big with Las Vegas finishing third with a 23.5 rating and 35 share.

The telecast gave NBC its third-best ever overnight rating for "Sunday Night Football." The Giants-Cowboys game on Sept. 20, 2009 is No. 1 (16.5/27) and the Cowboys-Redskins in Week 1 of this season is No. 2 (16.4/26).

The overnight ratings are compiled from the 50 plus markets that are metered. National ratings will be out later Monday or on Tuesday.